Social media is in uproar after a female fencer was disqualified for refusing to face a transgender opponent, with fans branding the competition ‘tainted and unfair’.

USA’s Stephanie Turner initially lined up to face Redmond Sullivan in a tournament at the University of Maryland earlier this week, only to take a knee and remove her mask in protest at being matched against a biological male.

As a result, she was subsequently excluded from the Cherry Blossom competition and suspended for the remainder of it after being shown a black card. 

Turner had completed four matches before facing Sullivan, who eventually came 24th out of 39 in the tournament.

After the controversial incident, fans have taken to social media to blast USA fencing for disqualifying a female competitor and allowing a transgender athlete to take part.

One user posted on X: ‘You allow biological men to compete with women thus stripping women from reaching their dreams. Shame on you!’

Social media is in uproar after a female fencer was disqualified for refusing to face a trans rival

‘Why are you disqualifying women and not the transgenders invading women’s sports,’ asked another.

‘Shame on every single one of you who allow men to compete with women. SHAME,’ wrote a third.

A fourth said: ‘Your organization and your people doing this to women and girls is an embarrassment. Go f*** yourselves’.

While one simply commented: ‘Your women’s competition is tainted and unfair.’

Tennis legend Martina Navratilova, who has frequently spoken out against transgender women competing in female sport in recent years, also weighed in on the controversy by saying: ‘And again….’

Shortly after Turner’s disqualification, USA Fencing produced a statement in support of Sullivan – who controversially switched to her college’s women’s team last year – and transgender participation in the sport. 

The statement read: ‘USA Fencing enacted our current transgender and non-binary athlete policy in 2023. The policy was designed to expand access to the sport of fencing and create inclusive, safe spaces. 

‘The policy is based on the principle that everyone should have the ability to participate in sports and was based upon the research available of the day.

USA’s Stephanie Turner took a knee and removed her mask in protest at being matched against Redmond Sullivan (pictured) – who switched to her college’s women’s team last year 

Turner immediately took a knee and removed her mask before facing Sullivan

Sullivan appeared confused and asked Turner what was happening during the tournament

‘We understand that the conversation on equity and inclusion pertaining to transgender participation in sport is evolving. USA Fencing will always err on the side of inclusion, and we’re committed to amending the policy as more relevant evidence-based research emerges, or as policy changes take effect in the wider Olympic and Paralympic movement.

‘We respect the viewpoints on all sides and encourage our members to continue sharing them with us as the matter evolves. It’s important for the fencing community to engage in this dialogue, but we expect this conversation to be conducted respectfully, whether at our tournaments or in online spaces. The way to progress is by respectful discussion based in evidence.

‘In the case of Stephanie Turner, her disqualification was not related to any personal statement but was merely the direct result of her decision to decline to fence an eligible opponent, which the FIE [International Fencing Federation] rules clearly prohibit.

‘USA Fencing is obligated to follow the letter of those rules and ensure that participants respect the standards set at the international level. We remain committed to inclusivity within our sport while also upholding every requirement dictated by our governing body.’

Turner, meanwhile, explained that she had no intention of taking on ‘a man’ and therefore chose to remove herself from the match. 

The trans athlete transferred from Wagner College men’s team to the women’s team last year

‘I saw that I was going to be in a pool with Redmond, and from there I said, “OK, let’s do it. I’m going to take the knee,”‘ she revealed.

‘I knew what I had to do because USA Fencing had not been listening to women’s objections. I took a knee immediately at that point. Redmond [Sullivan] was under the impression that I was going to start fencing. 

‘So when I took the knee, I looked at the ref and I said: “I’m sorry, I cannot do this. I am a woman, and this is a man, and this is a women’s tournament. And I will not fence this individual.”

‘Redmond didn’t hear me, and he comes up to me, and he thinks that I may be hurt, or he doesn’t understand what’s happening. He asks: “Are you OK?” And I said: “I’m sorry. I have much love and respect for you, but I will not fence you.”